Men's Fashion Week takes over Toronto

Helmer, Curtis Oland, Hip and Bone and Pascal Labelle are just some of the designers that were featured at this season’s Toronto Men’s Fashion Week. It took place from Monday March 6 to Wednesday March 8 at 505 Richmond St. West and it was men’s fashion week’s sixth season.

The event was well publicized and thoughtfully planned with many coordinators, sponsors and volunteers. Kelsi Gayda is the executive assistant and social media coordinator for all that falls under the Canada fashion group umbrella – both men’s and women’s fashion weeks.

Men’s fashion week first started three years ago. Gayda moved to Toronto from Calgary in July and joined the Toronto Men’s Fashion week team after learning about it. “It was right up my alley,” she said.

Gayda has a background in fashion – back in Calgary, she would put on a bi-monthly event that supported local artists and designers of any medium where talented entrepreneurs and emerging artists could showcase themselves.

“It was also a good way to network with people,” she said.

Gayda said she has always been a big supporter of emerging artists and designers. “I’ve always been the one to push people to pursue,” she said. “I love the creative culture.”

According to Gayda, there are a great amount of outlets for people in Toronto.

“Toronto is like the New York of Canada,” she said. “I moved here because there is a bigger arts community and more people support that community. There’s a bigger market for growth and that market is more established.”

“I just want to support emerging designers, the fashion community and the arts community.”

Gayda gave a rundown of this season’s event and all the shows along with some of the highlights.

“There were so many amazing aspects to this season,” she said. “There were live DJs, the venue was rustic – and felt like Paris or Milan and the HP media lounge made for the perfect platform for the social media team to smoothly and efficiently upload photos.”

“This event really brings the community together.”

Those on the other side of this event and events like these share the same viewpoint as those behind the scenes.

Emily Verduyn is a Ryerson business student and a retired model. She used to be in many fashion shows including women’s fashion week.

“To be a part of someone’s fashion show where they get to showcase pieces they’ve been tirelessly working on for months is the coolest feeling,” she said.

For Verduyn, her favourite part is bringing to life what a designer pictured. “I love seeing them in awe that their creative idea became a reality.”

“Fashion and fashion week in Toronto has drastically changed in the past two years,” said Verduyn. “It has really evolved into a large and supportive community of local designers, models, hairstylists and makeup artists that all know and have strong relationships with each other.”

“When you walk around backstage or sit watching, you are constantly surrounded by true Torontonians and are always bound to find someone in the room you know,” she said.

“The sense of community is irreplaceable.”

Fashion, the arts as a whole and events like these help celebrate Toronto’s community and emerging Canadian artists.

Uniqlo launches new Canadian modest fashion line

In collaboration with Muslim fashion designer Hana Tajima, Uniqlo Canada launched a new modest fashion line at Eaton Centre in Toronto on Feb. 24. The line has already successfully launched in Japan, and is set to launch in the United States as well as the United Kingdom.

The new collection will cost between $14.90 for a high-neck sleeveless T-shirt to dresses for $79.90. The hijabs in this collection retail for $39.90, making it budget-friendly and accessible for the average Canadian shopper.

Uniqlo’s airism fabrics used for this collection are made from a light breathable fabric that wicks away moisture, providing cool comfort all throughout the year.

The collection included many fashion pieces like hijabs, abayas, blouses, tapered and relaxed pants and long, flowing skirts. The colours across the collection were very neutral and can be easily paired with each other.

Many women share similar views on the current lack of representation of people of colour in the fashion industry.

For first-year Ryerson University student, Raneem Al-Ozzi, she had difficulties growing up trying to find modest clothing to wear.

“As a woman who prefers to dress modestly, I really see this collaboration as a way of making modest clothing more accessible and acceptable in western societies,” says Al-Ozzi.

Especially in a city as diverse as Toronto, it’s important to see the fashion industry making efforts in representing more than one fashion demographic.

Like Uniqlo, a number of companies are moving forward with similar intentions: to create fashion wear that is accessible to women who prefer to dress modestly.

Nike has also recently been in the news for introducing a performance headscarf known as the “Nike Pro Hijab” for Muslim women athletes.

“I personally see this as a step in the direction of possibly tackling Islamophobia in Canada. I mean, there are smaller modest clothing companies, but to be represented by a big name like Uniqlo, that’s a big step,” says Al-Ozzi.

This piece was edited by Krizia Ramos, co-fashion editor of CanCulture. 

How a Toronto girl boss is making minimalist jewelry more than a trend

As Instagram feeds turn to clean, minimal aesthetics, it’s only fair that fashion and beauty trends do the same. Allison Asis, the founder of Cadette Jewelry, knows this all too well. The Toronto jeweller created Cadette in 2014 hoping to get women who don’t wear jewelry, like herself, to find a love for delicate pieces.

“I think there’s so many girls who are either not jewelry wearers or simply want pieces that compliment their natural style and natural being,” she says.

Asis started out as a fashion blogger, but realized she wanted more satisfaction from her creativity; and so the minimalist beauty of Cadette was born, drawing inspiration from trends worldwide.

“There’s a very simple, clean aesthetic that’s happening right now and it’s drawing inspiration from Japanese and Scandinavian style,” says Asis.

“It’s just clean lines – a simple jacket and pair of jeans. Or a white t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It’s all about simplicity, and I think this is jewelry that compliments that.”

Drawing inspiration from designers like The Row, by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Acne Studios, the Toronto jeweler looks to keep her pieces minimal but with a twist.

“I have a love for a lot of artists and that quirky, whimsical shape,” she says. “I find myself creating simple jewelry, but always with a spin. So maybe something asymmetrical or with an added stone.”

Recently, Asis also became a metalsmith, learning to create her own pieces from brass and sterling silver. She chose these two metals because brass can be polished to have a similar look as gold. Sterling silver - a popular choice for jewelry that stands the test of time.

“Even when it ages it looks beautiful with more character,” says Asis.

Since 2014, Asis has been the leader for all of Cadette’s departments – from creative to financial. She considers herself a one-woman show.

“It’s taught me a lot and it just shows you what you’re capable of,” says Asis. “It forced me to learn different sectors of the business, but it’s the weaker parts that make you work harder and get better.”

She believes that minimalist jewelry is here to stay.

“There’s obviously girls who still gravitate more towards a loud statement piece,” she adds. “Statements had their moment. But now that minimalist jewelry has become popular, more girls are thinking that they can get down with it.”

This piece was edited by Krizia Ramos, Co-Fashion Editor at CanCulture. 

Artisella pop-up brings sustainable fashion to Toronto

In a world full of fast-fashion and having what’s new, a local Toronto company is bringing environment and people-friendly style to the city. Artisella is a Toronto-based fashion company that focuses on ethics, sustainability and style to make people more aware of the impact fashion choices have on the world.

The pop-up shop is located on Queen Street West and is Artisella’s first stand alone boutique. The company has previously collaborated with the Big on Bloor Festival and Bellwoods Flea Market.

“Artisella is a made up word,” says founder, Sheryl Luz. “It’s a cross between artisan and ‘bella,’ which is an Italian word for beautiful.” The beauty behind the company’s name is reflected in the type of products sold in the shop, ranging from toques to leather totes that are entirely sustainable and eco-friendly.

“Sustainable fashion really puts the artisans who make our product in the spotlight,” says Luz. “No one really talks about that - it’s all brand, brand, brand - but really there are people behind the product and there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.”

Luz came up with Artisella after working in the fashion industry for years. Her desire to explore the ethical fashion sector started with travelling.

“The best way to understand sustainable fashion is to really experience it,” says Luz.

She travelled to various parts of the world, like Southeast Asia, and witnessed the fair trade industry first-hand. When Luz returned to Toronto, the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh happened. About 1100 garment workers were killed when the eight-story factory building fell. From there, Luz knew she had to make a difference.

Artisella has made a difference for many, including intern Sebrina Bender, a fashion management student at George Brown College.

“I think what’s really special about Artisella is that everything in here has a story behind it,” says Bender.

For this season’s pop-up, Artisella has teamed up with brands like FashionABLE, Apse, The Brave Collection, and Krochet Kids, as well as a mix of international and local sustainable fashion brands.Each brand believes in slow fashion and dedicates their work to a particular social issue, such as at-risk youth or human trafficking.

“We are very focused on telling the stories of the brands,” says Luz. “I think that’s very important because, when people know the process of making certain products and the story behind it, I feel like they value it more.”

FashionABLE, one of the brands at the pop-up, began as an organization that provided therapy for women struggling with addiction or prostitution in Ethiopia. Because work was so hard to find, these women started making scarves, jewelry and leather bags as a way to escape their harsh pasts.

“FashionABLE has chic products and a great story behind them,” says Bender. “Some of the pieces have the names of the creator on them, so it recognizes the women behind the work.”

According to Luz, the slow fashion industry is still in its beginnings but there are ways to make your own closet more sustainable. She says the first thing is to ask questions. “Ask how the product is made, where it’s made and who’s behind the brand. If you take that first step to give a little thought into your purchases, that would open a lot of windows and progress to a bigger thing.”

Both Bender and Luz say their choice in clothing has changed since Artisella has emerged. “I used to shop at Zara and H&M but, after beginning to intern [at Artisella], I’ve learned so much about everything that goes into my clothes,” says Bender.

“My sustainable clothes became like a collectable item to me,” says Luz. “I’d look through my closet and say ‘Hey, this was made in Toronto, this was made in the U.S., or this one is recycled’ and it’s kind of like a passion.”

This story was edited by Krizia Ramos, the Co-Fashion Editor of CanCulture.